Lung virus surge fuels fears of 'tripledemic' - with young children at risk
Doctors have issued a warning to parents over a common bug which can cause dangerous lung infections - with babies and young kids particularly vulnerable. It comes amid fears of a winter "tripledemic".
An increase in RSV infections has seen more babies admitted to hospital with severe chest infections, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus - it's a very common bug responsible for many childhood coughs and colds.
Most children will get an infection caused by RSV before the age of two. The bug can cause a chest infection called bronchiolitis.
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In most cases, children will only develop cold-like symptoms and a slightly high temperature from the infection. But in some cases they can also start wheezing and breathing more quickly.
Bronchiolitis can turn serious, causing breathing difficulties that will need to be treated in hospital. UKHSA said more babies had been taken to hospital with a serious chest infection in the week leading up to October 10, reports The Sun.
It comes amid fears of a triple threat from RSV, Covid and flu this winter, piling strain on the NHS. Dr Conall Watson, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “We are beginning to see cases of RSV increasing, as well as emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis, caused by RSV."
According to the health watchdog, emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis have increased across the country. The NHS recently rolled out a vital jab that protecting against RSV.
It's being offered to pregnant women to help pass on protection to their babies against RSV and illnesses like bronchiolitis. Expectant mums have been invited to book a free jab once they reach 28 weeks.
Having the vaccine in week 28 or within a few weeks of this will help build a good level of antibodies to pass on to their baby before birth, UKHSA says. Newborn babies will receive protection from the bug this way, even if they are born early.